Shanghai EasyReal Machinery Co., Ltd. has completed the installation, commissioning, and acceptance of a pilot UHT/HTST plant at INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE JOINT STOCK COMPANY (INTERBOS), a leading beverage manufacturer in Vietnam.
The new pilot line gives INTERBOS a flexible platform for developing and validating a wide range of dairy products (milk, cream, processed cheese, yogurt, etc.) and beverages. It supports product formulation, process optimization, and scale-up under conditions that are close to industrial production.
-
Seamless Integration
The fully automated pilot line passed both factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT). It met all key performance indicators for thermal processing, homogenization, and aseptic filling, and was integrated into the existing utilities and R&D workflow with minimal layout changes. -
Multi-Application Validation
The plant has been successfully used for HTST pasteurization and indirect UHT sterilization trials on multiple product types, including milk, cream, cheese-base products, and yogurt prototypes. -
Shorter R&D Cycles
By running in-house pilot trials, INTERBOS can now test recipes, adjust parameters, and evaluate packaging on a small scale. This is expected to reduce R&D lead time by up to 60% and speed up market introduction of new products.
Designed for beverage manufacturers, research institutes, and ingredient suppliers, EasyReal’s pilot UHT/HTST plant covers the full path from lab concept to production-scale validation.
1. Dairy & Plant-Based Protein Drinks
-
Optimization of homogenization (typically 180–250 bar) and thermal stability (UHT 137–145°C for 2–4 seconds).
-
Support for studying protein–polyphenol interactions and stabilizer systems.
-
Typical targets:
-
Viscosity 20–80 mPa·s at 50 s⁻¹
-
No visible phase separation after 30 days at 25°C
-
2. Juice and NFC Beverages
-
Validation of enzymatic treatment, deaeration, pulp stabilization, and hot-fill/aseptic processing routes.
-
Typical targets:
-
Creaming index <10% after 30 days
-
No hard sediment
-
pH range 3.0–4.2, depending on recipe
-
3. RTD Tea and Functional Beverages
-
Trials for tea extraction clarity, low- or zero-sugar formulations, and functional ingredient addition.
-
Dissolved oxygen control with inline deaeration (down to ≤0.5 mg/L).
-
Typical targets:
-
Aroma retention ≥85%
-
Color difference ΔE <1.5 over 90 days (accelerated or real-time conditions)
-
Compliance with microbiological safety and shelf-life requirements
-
| Module | Technical Highlights |
|---|---|
| Flexible Thermal Unit | Switchable pasteurization/HTST/UHT modes; indirect tubular heat exchanger and optional direct steam injection (DSI); validated instruments and holding tubes. |
| Vacuum Deaerator | Operates at approx. 100–200 mbar; inline O₂ sensor; reduces dissolved oxygen to ≤0.5 mg/L for improved flavor and stability. |
| Two-Stage Homogenizer | Adjustable pressure from 50–600 bar; controls droplet size distribution to improve emulsion and protein stability. |
| Aseptic Filling Cabinet | ISO Class 5 HEPA filtration in the filling zone; automatic capping; adaptable to PET, glass, and selected carton formats. |
| PLC Control & Data Logging | Siemens-based PLC; records temperature, pressure, and flow; exports reports to support QA documentation, GMP compliance, and scale-up studies. |
-
-
Risk Mitigation Before Investment
Recipes, process conditions, and packaging formats can be tested and stressed at pilot scale before committing to full-scale capital expenditure. -
Better Scale-Up Accuracy
Engineering models and recorded data (including residence time, F-value estimates, and specific energy input) help transfer successful pilot parameters to industrial UHT/HTST lines. -
After-Sales and Global Support
After on-site commissioning and operator training, EasyReal continues to provide remote diagnostics and engineering support through its service network, helping customers maintain stable operation over the long term.
According to Ms. Picture, R&D Director at INTERBOS, the EasyReal pilot system has significantly improved their ability to test new products:
“The pilot UHT/HTST plant gives our team a clear and repeatable way to move from lab trials to production. We can screen formulas, test packaging, and confirm process stability in-house, which shortens time-to-market and supports our growth in the Vietnamese beverage market.”
-
Shanghai EasyReal is a National High-Tech Enterprise focusing on lab-scale and pilot-scale processing systems for the food and beverage industry.
Its pilot UHT/HTST plants, including optional DSI modules, are ISO 9001–certified and known for precise control and robust design. EasyReal serves customers in more than 30 countries, supporting new product development, line upgrades, and training.
Learn more about EasyReal pilot UHT/HTST plants: https://www.easireal.com/uht-pilot-plant-product/
For technical discussions, joint development projects, or pilot plant planning:
• +86 157 1164 2028
• jet_ma@easyreal.cn
• www.easireal.com
• Contact: Jet Ma, Global Marketing Director
Post time: Nov-21-2025